Community Demands Answers Following Police Shooting of Abdifatah Ahmed in Footscray
An investigation is underway after the fatal police shooting of Abdifatah Ahmed, a Somali man, in Melbourne’s west on Thursday night — an incident that has sparked widespread community grief and calls for urgent reform.
Approximately 200 people gathered in central Footscray on Friday for a vigil and rally, many holding signs reading “Black Lives Matter” and demanding increased mental health support in place of police intervention.
“We Need Care, Not Guns”
Community advocate Berhan Ahmed, who knew Abdifatah personally, said the tragedy highlighted a systemic failure in supporting vulnerable people.
“To be honest, he was a gentleman,” Mr Ahmed told the crowd. “These kids are victims of the institutional system. They need mental health treatment.”
He criticised the police response, saying: “Shame on [police] using guns instead of care.” The crowd responded with chants of “Shame!”
Mr Ahmed also urged Victoria Police to improve community engagement, saying the Somali community currently feels unsafe. “Police have to earn respect. Right now, we don’t feel safe.”
Concerns Over Use of Force
Somali community leader Farah Warsame echoed those concerns, saying Abdifatah needed “care, kindness and support — not deadly force.”
Warsame called for full transparency in the investigation. “Why did Victoria Police not use any other means to save this young man’s life?” he asked. “That’s where the concern lies.”
Police Statement and Investigation
According to Victoria Police, officers responded to a triple-0 call just after 9pm on April 17 reporting a man armed with a knife near Paisley and Albert streets in Footscray. Police say they told the man to drop the weapon and fired when he allegedly charged at them.
In a statement, police described the encounter as “an extremely volatile and high-risk situation,” adding, “Officers made a tactical decision to use their firearms in a matter of moments.”
They also rejected claims of racial bias and confirmed that the officers involved were not equipped with tasers — part of an ongoing rollout expected to be completed by September 2026. Currently, only around 60 per cent of frontline officers have access to them.
The incident is being investigated by the Homicide Squad, with oversight from the Professional Standards Command. The officers involved are currently on leave.
Council and Community Response
The Maribyrnong City Council said it is in active discussions with African community leaders, local businesses, and service providers in response to the incident.
“We remain committed to a partnership-based approach… seeking long-term solutions to the social and mental health challenges impacting Footscray,” the council said in a statement.
They also expressed support for an independent investigation into the death of Abdifatah Ahmed to provide transparency and clarity to the community.
